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Community Theater to perform Stephen Sondheim works

Several Grand Valley performers got together several months ago with an idea to bring a little Broadway pizzazz to the area.

And that is how “An Evening with Sondheim” was born.

Stephen Sondheim, 80, is largely considered to be one of the greatest American composers and lyricists in Broadway history. He won an Academy Award and eight Tony Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Tony award.

Mentored by Oscar Hammerstein in his younger years, Sondheim wrote the scores for plays such as “Sweeney Todd,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Company.”

He also wrote the lyrics for “West Side Story” and “Gypsy.”

Six Grand Valley performers have selected multiple Sondheim songs for three upcoming performances.

Gary Smith arranged a sound track and orchestration and Terri Schafer, local theater owner and private music teacher, recorded the piano accompaniment.

The singers for the Sondheim revue will be Matt Doty, Jeena Williams, Brent Basham, Rikki Reynolds, Steve Grandona and Schafer.

The “Evening with Sondheim” will be presented by Grand Valley Community Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. A matinee will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12.

The event will be one of the group’s final performances at Showtime Productions, 2148 Broadway, on the Redlands. Theater operations are set to move in March to Main Street.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 361-0243 or 263-4152.